Ranking the NHL's 5 best offenses
The NHL saw an uptick in scoring last season for a variety of reasons. Sure, goaltenders were forced to wear smaller equipment, but the overall speed and skill of the game are at an all-time high - and it's arguably never been more fun to watch.
With a new season just around the corner, we rank the top five offenses in the league. If you're a fan of high-scoring hockey, the following teams make for can't-miss TV.
GF = Goals For
PP% = Power Play percentage
SCF = Scoring Chances For
HDCF = High-Danger Chances For
Michael Martin / National Hockey League / Getty| Stat | Total | League Rank (2018-19) |
|---|---|---|
| GF | 258 | 10th |
| PP% | 22% | 7th |
| SCF (5-on-5) | 2297 | 11th |
| HDCF (5-on-5) | 948 | 12th |
Led by arguably the most dominant line in hockey, the Avalanche enter the 2019-20 campaign boasting their deepest forward core in recent memory.
The additions of Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky, and Joonas Donskoi give the club a collection of capable producers further down the lineup, and 2016 first-round pick Tyson Jost looks to build on his career-best 2018-19 season. Kadri, in particular, adds another dangerous option on the man advantage after tallying 28 power-play goals over the past three seasons.
Cale Makar showed what he can do during his playoff stint with the Avs this past spring. The rookie rearguard should be able to contribute at a high level right away and replace some of the offense lost in the departure of Tyson Barrie. Fellow defenseman Samuel Girard ranked first league-wide in defensive zone exits last season, and his elite puck-moving ability should yield increasingly positive results with additional forward talent in the fold.
4. Calgary Flames
Mark Blinch / National Hockey League / Getty| Stat | Total | League Rank (2018-19) |
|---|---|---|
| GF | 289 | T2nd |
| PP% | 19.3% | 18th |
| SCF (5-on-5) | 2369 | 7th |
| HDCF (5-on-5) | 1013 | 7th |
The Flames still need to negotiate a new contract with restricted free-agent forward Matthew Tkachuk, but once that's settled, they'll return the same offense that took the Western Conference by storm last season.
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan fully showcased their abilities as elite point producers, while the offensive emergences of Tkachuk and Swedish winger Elias Lindholm elevated the Flames to a whole new level; Calgary was the only team with five 70-point scorers in 2018-19, and all five will be with the club in 2019-20.
Headed by Norris Trophy-winner Mark Giordano, the Flames received 198 points last season from a blue line that remains intact. With proven scoring options all over the lineup, expect head coach Bill Peters' club to dazzle offensively once again.
3. San Jose Sharks
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty| Stat | Total | League Rank (2018-19) |
|---|---|---|
| GF | 289 | T2nd |
| PP% | 23.6% | 6th |
| SCF (5-on-5) | 2450 | 4th |
| HDCF (5-on-5) | 1072 | 3rd |
The Sharks may have lost perennial goal-scorer Joe Pavelski, but the club still enters the 2019-20 campaign with a ton of firepower.
Led by new captain Logan Couture, the Sharks' forward group offers a bounty of speed and skill. Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl, and Kevin Labanc look to take more leaps after breakout campaigns, and the ageless Joe Thornton is back to anchor the third line. San Jose rostered three 30-goal-scorers besides Pavelski in 2018-19 and has 10 returning players who notched double-digit tallies.
On the blue line, the Sharks boast a pair of Norris Trophy talents in Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns, who also happen to be the two best offensive defensemen in the NHL. No team enjoyed more production from its back end last season as Sharks defenders combined for 221 points.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
Kevin Sousa / National Hockey League / Getty| Stat | Total | League Rank (2018-19) |
|---|---|---|
| GF | 286 | 4th |
| PP% | 21.8% | 8th |
| SCF (5-on-5) | 2835 | 1st |
| HDCF (5-on-5) | 1115 | 2nd |
The Leafs were without Auston Matthews for 14 games last season, and play-making winger William Nylander never rounded into form after his prolonged contract dispute. Despite those setbacks, Toronto was still among the top offenses in hockey and its young nucleus has plenty of room to grow.
With Matthews and John Tavares leading the charge up the middle, the Leafs possess one of league's the top duos at center ice and can find scoring options up and down the lineup. Each of their seven 20-goal scorers - a league-high last year - remain in the fold, and newcomer Alex Kerfoot has back-to-back 40-plus-point campaigns to start his career.
The addition of 59-point rearguard Tyson Barrie gives the club another blue-line weapon to compliment an already-potent power play. The Leafs also rounded out their depth by signing Jason Spezza, who will assume fourth-line duties centering a variety of viable wing options.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
Adam Pantozzi / National Hockey League / Getty| Stat | Total | League Rank (2018-19) |
|---|---|---|
| GF | 319 | 1st |
| PP% | 28.2% | 1st |
| SCF (5-on-5) | 2433 | 5th |
| HDCF (5-on-5) | 921 | 16th |
The NHL's juggernaut is back with a vengeance after being swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Lightning owned a historic offense in 2018-19 as their 319 goals were the most in a single season since 1995-96.
The Bolts scored five or more goals in 37 games and were held to one or no tallies just 11 times. Tampa Bay was the only team in the league to roster three 40-goal-scorers (two other clubs had two) and also saw nine players eclipse the 40-point mark.
Out to prove he can still contribute at a high level after a down season with the New York Rangers, Kevin Shattenkirk will be a welcome depth addition to the league's deadliest power play behind Victor Hedman. As soon as the Lightning get restricted free agent Brayden Point signed to a new deal, they'll be unanimous Stanley Cup favorites once again.
Advanced stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick
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